Who we are:

Smile Society is a student-led mental health and wellness organization at the University of North Dakota. We're made up of UND students who care about the wellbeing of the people around them, and who believe that access to mental health support shouldn't be complicated or intimidating. Our organization focuses on three things: boosting student morale, connecting students with mental health resources, and making sure students know what to do in the event of a mental health crisis, whether it's their own or someone they care about.

Our purpose:

College is an exciting transition for young adults that also involves a significant number of concurrent life changes. Students are often managing academic demands, financial responsibilities, and new living situations simultaneously, many for the first time. For students who relocate to attend UND, distance from family and established support networks adds another layer of adjustment. These stressors are well-documented contributors to mental health challenges in young adults.

Research consistently shows that untreated mental health conditions during college negatively affect academic performance, retention, and long-term outcomes. At the same time, many students who would benefit from professional support either don't know what's available to them or face barriers to accessing it. Peer-led organizations like Smile Society intend to help bridge that gap by meeting students where they are, in a low-barrier, non-clinical setting.

How you can help:

Smile Society is entirely student-run and relies on community support to fund its programming. Contributions go directly toward event costs, outreach materials, and resource development. All funds support programs that reach UND students directly.

Donations at any level help expand our capacity to reach more students, produce more materials, and host more events throughout the academic year. We welcome contributions from current UND students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members who believe in the value of accessible mental health support for college students.

If you have questions about Smile Society or how funds are used, please reach out to us directly via our Instagram (smilesocietyund) or at 701-595-4476.

Smile Society UND: Mental Health and Wellness Support for Students